I have the opportunity to acquire this Heuer chronograph. Not knowing much of Heuer and even less since this is apparently a very rare reference, I thought I'd ask here and see what I could find out.

Ref. 73473N
From 1972
Cal. Valjoux 7734



Current owner purchased the watch from a "respected vintage collector". The collector parted with the watch in trade with the current owner for another "special watch" that I presume the collector desired. It was last serviced in 2018 (approximately). This has the charcoal colored dial which is apparently the even rarer version. I haven't gone past obtaining the basic information above so I'm guessing the current owner is valuing this Heuer at about $2250.

Edited to correct movement caliber.

 

That would be a 7734 movement.

 

Did you check OTD?

http://www.onthedash.com/watches/reference-73473/

Be shure you don't buy it only because its "rare" or because the past owner was a "respected vintage collector"

there seems to be a stain on the minute subdial between 22 and 28 and lume loss on the minute hand

Good luck!

 

Yes. I switched up the numbers while transcribing them. Thank you.

 

I did check OTD and that is been the main source of the independent information I have about this watch.

That's why I put those terms in quotes in my original post. They make for a great story but it's easy to get caught up in the lore or romance. It is rare but that shouldn't be the reason I buy it.

Perhaps I will ask for more detailed pictures and go from there.

Thank you.

 

The case shape will really limit its appeal IMHO.

 

There are much nicer variations available for fairly similar money. As already mentioned that case shape is about as undesirable as it gets for Heuer. Rare or not it would likely be a hard sell if you ever decided to move it on, but of course buy what you (not others) like !

 

I appreciate the information and opinions. This would be a straight trade which is the only reason I'm even considering it. Let's me move a watch and try a brand that's new to me. I'm beginning to feel that I should probably pass on this one and find a better example if I want a Heuer.

 

Just a personal suggestion for starting with Heuer (if you don't mind)

Hand wound Carrera Models are not too expensive and look stunning IMO:

http://www.onthedash.com/watches/c-shape-case-manual-winding/

 

I don't know what the issue is with the case shape, but I would have an issue with the dial. The edges around the sub-dials, the tritium burns from the lume dots and the stain on the 30 minute sub-dial would give ma pause unless the price was very good.

 

Well, now these have become available.





See some bezel damage on the Autavia. Black plating on the Carrera is a little dinged up.